Helping People Leave an Institution

Close the Doors: Community for All!

How to help people while they are in an institution:

1. Help people get used to moving a little bit at a time.
2. Meet people in institutions before they move, be a friend,
3. Take them places, your home, church, grocery shopping, to a movie, show them what the community looks like.
4. Get people moral support, training, someone to talk with, and help from case managers.
5. Offer workshops to people in institutions about advocacy, self-advocacy and independence and living in the community

People First can help by starting a local chapter in the institution, teaching them how to speak up for themselves, and learn "life on the outside."

How to help people after they move out of an institution:

1. Visit people in their new places and check on them to make sure they are doing well.
2. Call them on the phone.
3. Introduce them to your friends.
4. Help them join groups
5. Help them join a People First Chapter. Take them to chapter meetings where they can learn how to speak up for themselves and be more independent.
6. Allow people to learn from their own mistakes.